Juliana O¿Neil¿s promising future was burned away in the heat of battle. She had been an officer with a bright future in the military, but now she is struggling to survive. Her husband gone and her career in shambles, she finds a job at Top as a hostess and tries to put together the pieces of her life. The last thing she needs is any kind of male attention, but she can¿t help but be amused at … at her neighbor and coworker¿s lothario antics. Not that she would have anything to do with him, at least not for more than one night.
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You cannot go wrong reading one of Lexi Blake’s books
Enjoyable
This part of a series but can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading all the stories because they’re good, very good….
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Well described characters that’s developed in to realistic personalities
Sizzling chemistry between the characters
The storyline is good and I’m into the story from the first chapter.
5 stars.
This was the best Topped book yet! Oh man do I love Javi. I wasn’t even looking forward to his book, but I should of known the biggest manwhore would be the best on once he fell. I loved him and Jules, and hope this isn’t the last Topped book.
I don’t know how it happened, but I think Eric got it right when he thought Javi had been switched out for a pod person, that the resident, unrepentant, completely okay with it, man-whore, falls for a lady, and she doesn’t want anything to do with him. More so, she is the veteran in the story, and she is the one who war changed irrevocably. She is also a lefty, which I think is the best “y” to be, but that is a personal preference
Top staff is at it again, and with a twist, as a leading lady has all the baggage and angst. Javi is confused, he has never had to woo anyone before, and his boss and peers have a lot of fun with that at his expense. Things all work in the end, and I really liked the pace and how this story unfolded. It was different and felt really fresh
I also am so freaking happy that the Siren world and the McKay Taggart world can start to intercept and overlap and look so forward to Julien and Ian in the same scene!!!!
Javier’s and Julianna’s love story is all about reconciliation: reconciling loss of autonomy, reconciling loss of dreams, reconciling the past with the present and future. Jules lost her hand in the service of her country and thus the loss of her dreams. Javier has to reconcile the loss of the brother he once knew with the shell of a man who has given up on life because he lost his legs. Together they navigate a relationship where there is mistrust, miscommunication and stubborn pride. When one gives up tne other perserveres,
Lexi Blake creates strong male characters and even stronger female ones. Her stories have depth, poignancy, heart and all types of love: familial, erotic, hopeful and healing love. Add in a bit of mystery and a taste of danger and voila! The perfect reading experience.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader –
3.5 stars
M/F Romance with hints of BDSM
Triggers: Limb loss, drug abuse
Juliana is coping with the twists and turns that her life has taken. When things became too much and her life was planned out for her, she decided to enlist and turned away from the empire that her mom was building, and instead found herself and her own path in the military. Now, after being discharged due to an injury, she finds herself at a loss for where she wants her life to head now.
Javier has a reputation where he works as a man who enjoys a good time, but someone who won’t share his heart with anyone. Despite that reputation, he finds himself drawn to Juliana for a reason he can’t quite figure out. When his brother comes to live with him after suffering a double amputation from a battle, Javier has to rethink some of his priorities.
Javier and Juliana both have secrets, both are trying to figure out where their lives are going and each has something to give. When Javier and Juliana share a night of passion, Javier wants more than he’s ever wanted before. However, Juliana believes that she’s just another conquest and writes it off.
This is the first relationship that Javier has wanted and Juliana makes him work for it. I really enjoyed watching Javier work and come to terms with his own issues. Juliana also had issues, and it was resolved in a good manner – I didn’t feel that she was left hanging on her own issues. I liked these two as a couple.
Ruthie –
If you have never read any of this series before, then I do recommend them all to you – and your experience of this book would be richer for knowing the rationale and understanding behind what many of the gang say to both Javier and Jules in this story. But it is also an excellent read in its own right. And having enjoyed it, you will find that you have a wonderful collection of books to add to your reading list.
Juliana used the Navy to escape her mother, but ended up losing the ability to do the thing she loved the most, cooking. She has found herself in a hostess role in Top, which keeps her near food, but is also frustrating her. The fact that she is attracted to chef Javier does not help. His womanising ways are not an attraction, but nearly everything else about him is. I admired how positive she was about her position, even if it was only on the surface – and it contrasted well with Javier’s brother.
Completely blindsided by how Jules has got under his skin, Javier has to work out how he is going to get the girl. It is fun watching the other guys tease him, and remember how many of them had to fight to get their girl too. His dom talents are not used to exploit the situation, instead he is very mindful of Jules’ needs and kinky play is very carefully introduced. It would be fun to see them grow in future installments.
Loved catching up with old friends, seeing two more people who needed each other connect and become integrated as a couple in the wider family. A definite feel good novel in the series, without too much angst!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of At Your Service (Masters and Mercenaries: Topped #4) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour. One copy provided by tour host, additional copy purchased by the blog.
At Your Service is a Masters & Mercenaries: Topped Novel. I am a huge Master & Mercenaries fan and the Topped series is icing on the cake. This story is beautiful! It’s fraught with a variety of emotions, the good, the bad and ugly tears. I loved ever minute of it.
Juliana O’Neil is a hostess at Top. She had lost her hand while servicing. Juliana had joined the military because her mother. Juliana wanted to be chef, while her mother had bigger plans. After she was released she lost hope of her dreams.
Javier Leones is a chef at Top. His brother has moved in with him because he has no where left to go. Javier’s hands are full with caring for his brother and has one-night stands to escape. Javier feelings change when Juliana steps into his life. He’s ready to change his ways for Juliana. Now if only she believed him.
“You have to love yourself enough to give you a chance.” The challenge is set for both Juliana and Javier. They both have to get their fight on! This story is touching and heartfelt with a bit of kink. 5 Stars
Ms. Blake always entertains!
Loved this book.. love the whole series
Lexi has produced another gem to the Topped Masters & Mercenaries series. She truly can whip up and create a spectacular, heart pounding saga that will have your toes curling for more alpha men! As Master and Mercenaries is my go to series, Topped novels are the perfect addition to keep me in the loop in between releases. Giving us Chef Taggert and of course Big Tag and his lemon creations he utterly desires.
“He was the definition of a good-time guy.”
Top accumulates another couple; the manwhore Javier and the hostess with the mostess Juliana “Jules”. Can Javi stop his sexual proclivities to win over Jules or will he be known as the womanizer, broom-closet Dom forever?
Jules is all bright and cheery at the front of the house, when really she yearns to be behind the swinging doors with the chefs. Can the one-handed vet find a home within the kitchen or will her past, pride and thoughts overrule her desires?
“Sometimes circumstances change, but that doesn’t mean you have to let go of your dreams. It merely means you adapt and come out of it stronger than before.”
Might I say I love how Top accumulates Vets in which Lexi does a superb job at incorporating their injuries, physical and mental into their lives as well as into their romantic relationships. Not a lot of authors can have a long obtainable series that still rocks readers socks off, but Lexi can and she excels at it! These books are always entertaining, taking me out of reality one Alpha Dom at a time!
I have been waiting for Javi to get his book and Lexi did him justice with this mesmerizing tale. I love how he is a “newbie-Dom” in that he isn’t to heavy in the lifestyle yet, but is learning. It was a nice addition to the scene, however, don’t let that fool you. Get him in his chef’s coat, in his kitchen and watch the fire burn! Lexi always produces some over the top sexy attractions and they never disappoint!
I adored this book, I loved the passion between the two. How Javi pushed Jules for her to see her future but then in return for her to push him right back. Again, Big Tag makes an appearance and I am forever grateful that he always makes cameo’s since he always brings some type of humor into the mix. I wonder who will be Topped next?
A fictional look at one vet dealing with life-altering disfigurement/ loss of a limb and re-integrating back in civilian life.
Interesting interaction between characters. Amusing
I love this whole series.
Everything Lexi Blake is Outstanding. Thank yoi
3.75 stars- AT YOUR SERVICE by Lexi Blake is the latest novella in the author’s contemporary adult MASTERS AND MERCENARIES: Topped BDSM romance series. This is naval officer and amputee Juliana O’Neil, and chef Javier Leones’ story line. AT YOUR SERVICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Juliana and Javier) AT YOUR SERVICE follows several paths including the building romance and relationship between co-workers and neighbors Juliana O’Neil, and Javier Leones, as well as the destructive nature of loss and war. Juliana is a naval veteran who lost her dominant hand while on deployment over seas, and has found a bit of a kindred spirit in her neighbour Javier Leones, whose older brother continues to struggle with the loss of his legs. What ensues is the back and forth between Javier and Juliana as our heroine battles between her head and her heart, and the loss of a future she longed to explore; and the potential destruction of Javier’s brother when the demons come knocking on Javier’s door.
Javier Leones, a former military man, is a manwhore whose doesn’t do relationships; whose reputation with the ladies precedes his introduction to our story line heroine. A Master at the BDSM Club Sanctum, as well as a chef at Sean Taggart’s TOP restaurant, Javier also faces an uphill battle with his older brother who has struggled since the loss of his legs while on deployment over seas. A series of unexplained break-ins, and threats to his brother’s life find Javier stepping back to protect the woman he loves.
A one-time chef, Juliana now works as a hostess at TOP due to the difficulty using the tools required for the job but Javier is determined to push our heroine to take the steps to further a career long thought lost. Juliana is a woman afraid of losing her heart, and accepts that a relationship with Javier means there is always someone else waiting in the wings.
The relationship between Juliana and Javier is one of friends/co-workers to lovers; a relationship that struggles on preconceived notions, a past riddled with too many one-night stands, and a woman who battles some ghosts of her own. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive; the D/s and BDSM scenarios are limited and light involving some spanking, and show and tell. Juliana’s constant back and forth, yes and no, up and down was a little disconcerting; her jealousy, anger and indecisiveness juxtaposed with her easy going concern for Javier’s brother. The author’s need to constantly remind the reader about Javier’s past indiscretions is bothersome and annoying-I struggled with the numerous mentions from family, friends and the woman he loved.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several previous story line couples as well as a number of TOP employees, and SANCTUM members, Javier’s ex Kristy, and his brother Rafe Leones; and nosy neighbors Mrs. Gleeson and Mr. Cassidy.
The world building continues to look at the friendships and relationship at TOP and SANCTUM, as well as the ongoing struggles for the military personnel who continue to do battle upon returning home.
AT YOUR SERVICE is a story of family and friendship, and the daily struggle for American veterans whose lives have been destroyed or forever altered. Both the H/h have issues and vulnerability that need to be addressed, hopefully their happily ever after isn’t compromised by ghosts from the past. The premise is captivating and inviting; the characters are energetic and lively; the romance is provocative and intense.
4.5 Wanting So Much More Stars!!!
This newest book in Ms. Blake’s Masters & Mercenaries series is also a crossover into her Topped series and I really loved this one so much. Javier and Juliana are two people that have been hurt, either physically or emotionally or both. And the minute Juliana walked by Javi’s door on the night his drunken brother showed up, courtesy of his ex-wife, I thought to myself, that’s her! That’s Javi’s girl!!!
I absolutely loved these two together. They’re each other’s perfect mate and along the way, Ms. Blake’s words allowed me to imagine myself in the M&M world. Her vivid descriptions in each scene are so phenomenal and I could see clearly every single nuance of the entire story.
This book has so many elements that kept me completely engaged while reading it…a wounded female veteran, a man who’s definitely has not on the monogamous path, although he wants to be and outside influences that create a bit of suspense for our H/h and their path to being each other’s forever love.
This is another winner for this series and Ms. Blake and I’m so excited to see what she has for us next!
5 Star reviews of At Your Service At Your Service (Masters and Mercenaries #14.5; Topped #4) by Lexi Blake
I will be honest and admit that this is one of my all time favourite series and truth be told when I get a chance to review a Lexi Blake book I will always jump at the opportunity.
Javier Leones is a chef at Top and commonly known as a ladies man or man whore. He is extremely attractive, always dashing and totally alpha male and hot. He is heavily into BDSM and as such is also a Master at Sanctum.
Javier is attracted to Juliana O’Neil who works as a hostess at Top. She is a veteran who lost her dominant hand while on deployment. Although she is moving through life, it is more just going through the motions. It isn’t until Javier explodes into her life that she realises just how much she has been hiding away.
Ironically she decides she wants a one night stand with Javier and no one is more surprised than he when he realises that Juliana is “the one” and he decides to pursue her. He is madly attracted and drawn to her, despite the sadness that surrounds her; he vows to bring her back into the light even if she doesn’t want to be.
I have always loved the character of Javier and it was wonderful to see him get his HEA with Juliana, who really is the perfect match for him.
There is drama, smoking hot scenes and a few tear jerking moments ( as Javier’s brother struggles with being a double amputee) and as always although not a particularly long read, it was as I have come to expect from Ms. Blake, entertaining and extremely well written.
Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I think you would get more enjoyment if you were to start at the beginning and work your way through the magic that is Masters and Mercenaries.
Couldn’t wait to read them all